Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

I had a dream the other night about a man who came to see me. While we were talking he asked me to help him fix his hair. He told me he can't seem to get it to look right. While we were having this discussion he was looking in a mirror. I stood behind him to look in the mirror in order to see what he was seeing. At that point I saw a bunch of mirrors lined up side by side. The mirror he was looking in was warped, so we moved to the next one. That reflection was also distorted. I decided to look at each mirror. Every single one looked like it came out of a funhouse. Each one was warped and distorted. None of them gave a clear and realistic reflection. I finally got to a mirror that was dirty and dusty. There was no warping. No distortion. It was just difficult to see the reflection due to a build up of debris. 

The way we view ourselves is directly connected to where we put importance in our lives and where we are seeking identity and validation. How people see us, gaining more likes, follows, or views, being viewed as strong; as if we've got it all under control. Some of that could be pride, ego, anger, guilt, shame, or maybe we have allowed traumas in our lives to shape the way we view ourselves.

"As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man."

Proverbs 27:19 ESV

Water or a mirror will reflect what is put in front of it. Just like a mirror, your heart will reflect your true character in your daily life; your actions, your words, how you interact with people, how you treat people (including yourself). Everything you do flows from the heart (Proverbs 4:23). If your heart is full of things it shouldn't be, how you show up will be distorted. Your actions and choices will cause you extra stress, anxiety, probably some confusion (James 3:16). How you view the world will be distorted. So how can we rid ourselves of the things in our hearts that shouldn't be there? How do we put good things in our hearts?

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

God knows us inside and out. He knows literally everything about us. Yes...He even knows THAT thing. You know, the thing you've never told anyone that you buried deep. He totally knows. You wanna know the coolest thing about Him knowing everything? He loves each of us in spite of it all. The thing that makes you feel unlovable? Yup. He still loves you. The thing you can't seem to forgive yourself for? Still loves you, and He loves you enough to help you forgive yourself. This verse talks about seeing in a mirror dimly. It's referring to our understanding of God's truth. God's truth is His Word (The Bible). In time we can gain clarity. When we spend time in His word we find His promises, His peace, His clarity, and His love. 

In Jesus we find a crystal clear reflection. No distortion. No warping. Just the perfect reflection of you. Exactly as God made you. The more time we spend in His word, the more we are filling our mind with His truth. When our mind is filled with His truth, it plants seeds in our hearts. Accepting Jesus into our heart allows the Holy Spirit to fill us, and then those seeds will grow to bear fruit. The fruit your heart will bear are the Fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness, and self-control). We'll talk about those another time. The Fruits of the Spirit are seen in our daily lives through our actions because they are a reflection of our heart in Jesus. 

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

Our God is a God of clarity and consistency. If you're feeling confused, or if you don't feel like you fit, I challenge you to look at the mirror you're using to define your identity. The more time you spend with God, the brighter your reflection will become. The veil will be lifted and you will be able to see God's glory in the beauty reflected back. 

I feel like we all view ourselves through a worldly lense at one point or another. Maybe it's pride, ego, vanity, shame, or guilt. Maybe you feel inadequate or unworthy. Or maybe you view yourself as a victim. Whatever the lense may be, I'm here to tell you, you don't have to continue distorting your identity. You don't have to live feeling like you aren't good enough or like you're in this all by yourself. I'm here holding up a very dirty mirror for you to catch a glimpse of your true identity. This is my invite for you to take the mirror from my hand.

The God who created you is waiting for you to see the beauty in His creation. That includes your reflection. Jesus loves you so much and He wants you to see yourself how He sees you. All the glory and wonder that was so carefully woven into your innermost being. It's there. I promise. You just have to look in the right direction to find it.

My challenge for you:

1. Spend some quality time with Jesus.

2. Read Ephesians 2:10

3. Ask God to help you see yourself as the masterpiece He created you to be.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for helping us gain clarity on who we are in You. Please help us seek the truth, so our reflection can continue to grow brighter and clearer in You. We love you and we praise you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.